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Changing fee structure to after school programs

Dear SFUSD Families:

In SFUSD, most school-based after school and summer learning programs are co-sponsored by SFUSD (the ExCEL program) and partnering community based organizations. The majority are funded through city, state and federal grants. These grants are often awarded in three to five long cycles and are not guaranteed to be renewed once a grant cycle has ended. Unfortunately, the district has recently learned that it lost $3.3 million in competitive federal grants to support our after school program services to families. Please note, this is not related to federal funding cuts to after school programs but rather due to not being awarded the competitive 21st Century Learning grant.

We understand how important after school and summer learning is and we are committed to preserving after school and summer program services. In order to ensure that services continue, we will be moving more SFUSD funds into subsidizing these services and also implementing a district wide co-payment fee structure for ALL ExCEL elementary/K-8 and middle after school programs. Some programs already have a fee structure in place. The co-payment fee structure will go into effect for school year 2017-2018. In anticipation of the need for a more sustainable funding model, the Board of Education approved the implementation of a co-payment fee structure in 2014 with its resolution titled After School for All.

Each school’s ExCEL after school programs will share more specifics but in general, here are the fee structure guidelines all programs will follow:

The monthly co-payment fee will be waived for a child who is: 1) eligible for free or reduced lunch except those fees required by a local, state or federal tuition subsidy program; 2) homeless or; 3) in foster care.

All other children will pay a co-payment fee on a sliding scal​​e from $50-$500/month based on income.